Edward Henry Stamer, 95, died peacefully in his own home Wednesday, July 16, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at the mortuary with a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM. Burial with military honors will be a later date at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Illinois. Online condolences and tributes may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.
Edward Henry Stamer was born April 27, 1919, the son of Wilhelm Fritz Stamer and Dora Wiese Stamer. He was a lifelong resident of Scott County, Iowa.
After serving his country with the 821st Air Engineer Squadron of the Army Air Corps stationed in Ipswich, England, during World War II, Edward married Leone Audrey Stokes on December 23, 1946. She died July 22, 2004. They are survived and lovingly remembered by a daughter, Constance Lee Stamer Wheeler (John), Davenport, and a son, Frederick William Stamer (Becky), Bettendorf.
Known as Grandpa Stamer, he recognized and spoke to each of his nine grandchildren in the week prior to his death. Their pictures covered many of the flat surfaces and on the walls in his house: Brandon Holton (Erica), Poplar Grove, Illinois, Audrey Adamson (James), Moline, Illinois, Trenton Stamer (Kate), Orion, Illinois, DoraLynne Gullickson (Todd), Davenport, Iowa, Andrew Stamer (Marie), Boston, Massachusetts, MadissaBelle Kent (Jessica), Davenport, Iowa, Alexander Stamer (Justine), Ottumwa, Iowa, Reid Stamer (Nicole), Iowa City, Iowa and Anna Stamer, Bettendorf, Iowa.
There were always iced oatmeal cookies and circle crackers in the cupboard and chocolate milk and soda AND Hershey Chocolate Bars in the refrigerator for grandchildren and great grandchildren; Jackson and Parker Holton, Victoria and Grant Adamson, Clara and Marley and Harper Stamer, Brendan Wheeler and Emma and Leah Gullickson, Ella Stamer, Oswin Kent, and Mayla Stamer.
Edward was a 1938 graduate of Davenport High School. He was employed by the Federal Government at Rock Island Arsenal as a Supervisor of Production Control, retiring in 1974 after 37 ½ years. He spent forty years of retirement devoted to his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, and the children cared for at Shriner Hospitals.
Edward enjoyed the expanded offerings of DISH Network, especially accessibility of college sport viewing of football and basketball…no particular teams, he just liked a good game. Regular shows of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with his quick answers kept him spry.
Edward was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Davenport; American Legion Post 26, Davenport; and, Davenport Elks Lodge #298. He was a 50+ year member of Fraternal Lodge 221 – Iowa Masons, Davenport, and a 50 + year member of Scottish Rite Consistory of Iowa. Edward was a 50+ year Noble of KAABA Shrine Temple, Davenport; a 50+ year member of Mohassan Grotto, Davenport; a founding member of Buffalo Bill Shrine Club, LeClaire; Captain Emeritus of the KAABA Foot Patrol; and, Emeritus Hospital Dad for Shriners Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
September 2013, Noble Edward Stamer was presented a Legacy Pin and Certificate from Shriners International to show their gratitude that he and his family, son-in-law John Wheeler and grandson-in-law KAABA Past Potentate Todd Gullickson, continued the Shriners Legacy, a unique brotherhood with an important mission.
Edward Stamer was preceded in death by his wife, Leone; parents, Wilhelm and Dora; brothers, Howard (Betty) and Arnold; sisters, Margaret Lorenz (Harry) and Marion Mullin (Thomas) and Martha Miclot (Richard); several Wiese and Stamer cousins, and great granddaughter, Zoe Stamer. May they rest in peace.
The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Lisa, Katie, and Brittany of Genesis Visiting Nurses Association and Corinne and Emily of Genesis Home Hospice for the excellent loving care given Edward Stamer.
As a remembrance, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Iowa State Dance Marathon in which all proceeds go to Iowa City Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital OR Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, supported by a philanthropic organization to which Edward Stamer dedicated many years of his life. Thank you!
We can hear the Big Band Music. Tuxedo Junction is being played. Edward and his “Ownie” are dancing in the stars!
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